Ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel begin atonement ahead of Yom Kippur

Ahead of Yom Kippur, ultra-Orthodox Jews slaughter white chickens as part of a ritual to cleanse themselves of sins from the past year.

Kaparot is a custom connected to Yom Kippur, where white chickens are slaughtered as a symbolic gesture of atonement. The slaughtered chickens are then donated to the poor.

It is believed that Jews transfers their sins from the past year into the chicken.

The kaparot ceremony is held before the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, which starts on Friday. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with a 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer.